Serving With Anthony Pallotta

I was saddened to hear about the February 24, 2015 passing of former Troy City Councilman Anthony N. Pallotta. I had the privilege of serving with Tony during my first 2 years on the Troy City Council. In fact, during my "rookie" year, I sat right next to Tony. I guess they figured I could use use the advice of a Council veteran like him.

As Councilmembers, Tony and I didn't always agree but I appreciated his insight and his experience as an elected official.

At the end of his last term in 2003, Tony had served 31 years as a Troy City Councilman! Even after he retired from City Council, he just couldn't stay away from community service. According to the AJ Desmond & Sons Funeral Home website, Tony was a 2000 hour volunteer in the Emergency Center at William Beaumont Hospital of Troy.

Leadership Troy recognized Tony for his service to our community when it named him Troy's 2005 Distinguished Citizen.

Praying for Tony's family on their loss. Thank you to the Pallotta Family for sharing him with the people of Troy!

Brief Thoughts on Michigan's 2015 Proposition 1

Image via Safe Roads Yes!

On May 5th, Michigan voters will consider a ballot proposal to raise Michigan's sales tax to help fund road repairs and provide continued funding for schools and local governments. Personally I would have preferred to see the Michigan Legislature increase the fuel tax as a fairer way to address the deteriorating condition of our roads and bridges. But, this ballot proposal may be our only solution.

I ran across a couple of posts in support of Proposition 1 from two individuals whose opinions I respect:

• Click here to read "Reality Trumps Fantasy in Road Funding" by former State Representative Chuck Moss.

• Click here to read "No Prop 1, no good roads. Guaranteed" by The Detroit News' Nolan Finley.

More information on the ballot proposition can be found on the website for Safe Roads Yes!

University of Detroit Mercy February 2015 Economic Symposium

Received an email invitation to attend an upcoming economic symposium from Harry Veryser, a former economic professor of mine at the University of Detroit Mercy. Sponsored by the University of Detroit Mercy’s Department of Economics and the Michigan Council on Economic Education, it's titled The State of the Union. It will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 9 a.m. - Noon, at the Macomb University Center in Clinton Township.

One of the featured speakers is my State Representative, Martin Howrylak.

Even though the list of speakers is heavily weighted towards the Austrian School, it's always interesting to hear a different perspective on the economy.

Click here to view/print an information flyer for this symposium. To attend, RSVP to Donna Gormely at 586-263-6232 or gormeldm@udmercy.edu.